Metal forming press



June 16, 1953 c. J. BATH ETAL 2,642,114

METAL FORMING PRESS Filed Dec. 21, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR5. W 7-Z BY 2 Mp M,

m ATTOINEYS.

June 16, 1953 c. J. BATH ETAL METAL FORMING PRESS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledDec. 21, 1950 INVEN TOR.. $4M,

2*" 4770F/VEYS June 16, 1953 c. J. BATH ETAL METAL FORMING PRESS FiledDec. 21, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 H 9 10 4! 5? /Z W/ U! I I I" z 12 II I ul 72 KO C 1 45 INVENTORS.

M'FMI @ATIOPNEYS June 16, 1953 c; J. BATH ETAL 2,642,114

FORMING PRESS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed D60. 21, 1950 3 ATTOF/VEKS'.

June 16, 1953 c. J. BATH ETAL METAL FORMING PRESS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 FiledDec. 21, 1950 INVENTORS. M w

w w M 14770F/VEV3;

Patented June 16 1953 Cy il J.

Bath, Chagrin Falls, and Robert J. Ebert,

Euclid, Ohio, assignors to The Cyril Bath Company, Cleveland, Ohio, acorporation of Ohio Application December 21, 1950, Serial N 0. 202,052

12 Claims. 1

This invention relates to metal forming presses and particularly to acombination forming press and tangent bender.

Heretofore much difliculty has been encountered in the production onforming presses of cabinets and the like having planar side orperipheral walls which are portions of a single elongated sheet of metalbent about axes extending transversely of the sheet.

The difficulty arises principally from two factors. One is that, duringthe forming operation, the sidewalls of the cabinet portion frequentlyextend above the level of the die bed at each side of the ram to such anextent that the ram must be raised to a position far above its formingposition in order to permit unloading of the formed portion laterally ofthe ram. The disadvantages of such long ram travel are apparent.

Again, it often happens that all or portions of the rear wall of thecabinet are formed integral with the side walls, in which case the rearwall, or lateral margins thereof, overhang the ram, or portions thereofor of the die carried thereby, so that the formed portion cannot beremoved laterally of the ram- Accordingly, to overcome these objections,attemptshave been made heretofore to form such cabinets in presses inwhich the ram is supported only from one end so that the partiallyformed article .can be removed end'wiseof the machine from the oppositeor free unsupported end of the ram. However, in the latter instances,thelong unsupported overhang of the ram results in deflection whichprogressively in creases from the supported end of the ram to the freeend.

To overcome this objectionable deflection, presses have been provided inwhich the ram, though normally supported at both ends, detachablyengages the supporting column at one of its ends so that it can bereleased and swung laterally about the supporting column at the other ofits ends outof its normal path of travel to permit removal of the formedstock endwise of the ram. In such a structure both columns are connectedto power means for lifting and lowering so as to lift and lower the ram.

The latter type of machine is objectionable because of the time and workrequired to swing the ram laterally from a position above the die bed tothe unloading position. Another objection resides in the fact thatconsiderable floor space is required at one side of each forming pressto accommodate the ram when it is swung outof' its normal position abovethe bed. In

other respects it is inconvenient and time consuming from the standpointof shop layout and flow of production. Again, no efiicient means isprovided for applying power equally to both ends of the ram.

In accordance with the present invention, the press is provided with aram which is permanently supported from one end above the die bed and isoperated by power means to move it downwardly close to the final formingposition while supported only by the one end. Additional power means areprovided and are equipped with suitable latch means normally positionedbelow or close to the level of the bed and which, when the ram islowered close to working position, latch to both ends of the ram anddraw the ram firmly into final position with equalized pressure at-theends. The machine is further provided with one or more wing dies, of thetype commonly used in so-called tangent benders, such as described in'U. S. Patents Nos. 2,287,933, issued June 30, 1942, and 2,446,824,

issued August 10, 1948.

a in which it has special advantages, its use in connection with othertypes of presses and double wing tangent benders being readily apparentfrom the illustrative example.

The more specific objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following description wherein reference is made to thedrawings, in which:'

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a combined a press and single wingtangent bender embodying the principles of our invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the apparatus illustratedin Fig. 1, and is taken on the line 22 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged right side elevation of the machine illustrated inFig. 1, part thereof being shown in section for clearness inillustration;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of the machine illustratedin Figs. 1through 3;

Figs. 5 and 6 are fragmentary sectional views 3 taken on the lines 5-5and 6--6, respectively, of Fig. 3;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view of the apparatusillustrated in Fig. 1 and is taken on the line 1-! of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a. fragmentary elevational view of the machine as viewed fromthe line 8--8 of Fig. '7, part thereof being shown in section forclearness in illustration;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic illustration of the fluid pressure andelectrical circuits for controlling the operation of the apparatusillustrated in Figs. 1 through 8; 1

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of a modified form of the apparatusembodying the present invention; and

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the ram latchconnection illustrated in Fig. 10.

Referring first to Figs. 1 through 8, the machine comprises generally arigid frame 1 having an upwardly facing horizontal die bed 2 on whichare mounted suitable forming dies 3. Mounted in fixed position in oneend of the frame is an upright rigid guide column 4 which slidablysupports a ram 5, the ram 5 being slidably connected by one of its endsto the column 4. The rain carries a plurality of forming dies 6 whichare complementary to the dies 3, respectively.

For supporting the ram on the column 4, the ram is provided at itssupported end with a rigid bearing sleeve 1 having internal slidebearing bushings 8. In the form illustrated, the column 4 is in the formof a hollow shaft of circular cross section. Consequently, in order to.prevent swinging of the ram 5 about the axis of the column 4, alaterally extending lug 9 is secured in fixed position on the sleeve '1.The lug 9 has an upright bore in which an upright guide rod is fixedlysecured and from which it depends. Mounted in the frame I is a guidebearing l l which slidably accommodates the rod l0 thus restraining theram from rotation about the axis of the column 4 in all verticalpositions of the ram.

In order to raise the ram to its fully raised position and to lower itat least near to the forming position, a suitable reversible fluidpressure operated piston and cylinder assemblage is provided. Theassemblage may comprise a piston l2 which is fixedly secured to the ramand a cylinder l3 which is secured within the frame I below the level ofthe bed 2. The assemblage is such that the ram can be raised thereby tofully open position or lowered to, or almost to, forming position veryrapidly while guided on the column 4 and by the rod [0.

The opposing end of the ram is entirely free and, when the ram is raiseda short distance from forming or closed position, affords adequate spacebetween the ram and the bed for removal of any articles formed betweenthe dies even though they are peripherally closed or extend around orpartially overhang the ram or the dies carried thereby.

In order to move the ram into final forming position with equalizedpressure at its ends, the mechanism now to be described is provided.

Mounted on the ram adjacent its free end is a suitable latch element [5which is connected to the ram by a pivot 16 extending endwise of theram. The latch element l5 depends from its pivot [6 when in latchingposition, as illustrated in Fig.2. Similarly, as best illustrated inFig. 6, at the opposite end of the ram 5, adjacent the sleeve 1, the ramis provided with a rigid or integral depending latch element I! having apassage I8 therethrough near its lower end.

Within the frame I is a bifurcated lever [9 having arms 20 which aredivergent from near one end of the lever l9 toward the opposite end. Thefree end of one arm 20 is near the free end of the ram 5 and the freeend of the other is near the supported end of the ram 5. Referring tothe former one of the arms 20, it is pivotally connected near its freeend to the frame by means of a suitable yoke 2| and pivot 22, thispivotal connection preferably being adjacent to the free end of the ram5 and the yoke preferably being connected to the bed of the frame sothat reactance forces due to operating pressure applied to the lever 19are in opposition to the operating pressure applied by the ram.

Mounted on this one of the arms 20 which is adjacent the free end of theram is a gen erally upright complementary latch element 23 which isarranged for cooperation with the latch element I 5.

As illustrated, the latch element 23 is connected by a pivot 24 to itsassociated arm 20 between the free end of its arm 20 and the pivot 22.The element 23 extends upwardly through a suitable opening in the bed ofthe frame, as best illustrated in Fig. 2, to a level a short distanceabove the bed 2. Mounted on the bed 2 at the free end of the ram 5 is aguide plate 25 having an upwardly open guideway 25a for receiving thelower portion of the free end of the ram 5 and guiding it along thelower portion of its path of travel so as to prevent lateral deflectionof the free end of the ram. In order to retain the latch element 23 in aproper adjusted position for cooperation with the latch element [5,there is mounted on the guide plate 25 an adjustable abutment 26 whichis arranged at one side of the latch element 23 so as to limit itsswinging movement in one direction. A suitable spring pressed abutment21 is arranged on the plate 25 at the opposite side of the latch element23 and engages it so as to hold it against the abutment 26 with yieldingpressure.

The other of the arms 20 which is adjacent the opposite or supported endof the ram 5 likewise is similarly pivotally connected to the bed2 by ayoke 28 and pivot 29 and carries a latch element 30 which is connectedto it by a pivot 30b. The latch element 30 extends upwardly through asuitable opening in the bed 2 a short distance above the level thereof,and is adapted, when in latching position, to engage in the latchelement IT by entry into the opening 3, as best illustrated in Fig. 6.

Connected to the lever I9 near the juncture of the arms 20 is a piston3| which operates in a reversible fluid pressure operated cylinder 32which, in turn, is connected to the frame I by means of a pivot 33. Thepiston and cylinder are arranged to operate so that the piston is raisedon the power stroke. Thus the lever I 9 fulcrums about the pivots 22 and29 on the power stroke and draws the latch elements 23 and 30downwardly. As mentioned, the latch elements 23 and 30, when in raisedposition, extend only a short distance above the level of the bed 2 sothat, when the ram is raised to separate the dies a slight amount, it isdisposed. above the latch elements .23 and 30 a distance such thatadequate access to the space between the "ram and bed is providedbetween the free end of the ram and the bed.

The latch elements 23 and 30' are normally held by the piston 3| inraised position above the level of the bed such that when the ram islowered near to its final forming position by the piston' l2, the latchelements 23 and 30 can engage the latch elements l5. and .IT,respectively, so as to interlock therewith, whereby the piston 3| canpull the ram downwardly by equalized'pressure applied on the ends ofztheram. v

The latch. element 23 normall remains in its upright position withlittle or no movement about its pivot 24. Accordingly, to provide forunlatching thelatch elements I and 23 prior to raising of the ram 5, thelatch element |5 must be swung from its dependent position upwardly andout-' wardly laterally of the ram. For this purpose, a suitable link, asshown, is pivotally connected at one end to the latch element |5 and atthe opposite end to a suitable power operated piston or plunger, such asa fluid pressure operated piston or a solenoidoperated plunger. In theform illustrated, the link is connected to the piston 34 of a reversiblefluid pressure operated piston and cylinder assemblage having a cylinder35, the

piston 34 operating in the reversible cylinder which is mounted on theram.

. As more fully explained hereinafter, the piston 34 not only retractsthe latch element |5 to unlatching position, but, during lowering of theram, yieldably holds the element l5 in its normal dependent latchingposition. a

. Since the latch element. I1 is fixed in position, it is necessary toswing the latch 38 out of its normal upright position to unlatch it. Forthis purpose, .a reversible, fluid pressure operated piston and cylinderassemblageis provided. The piston 36 of this assemblage is pivotallyconnected at one end to the frame l. Thecylinder 3l-is pivotallyconnected to the latch element 30. As in the case of the latch-elementl5, the assemblage not only retracts the element to unlatching positionbut also, during lowering of the ram, 'yieldablyh 1ds the element 30 inits normal uprightlatching position.

- The latch element |5 has a cam surface I50. onits lower face and thelatch element 23 has a cam surface 23d on its upper face. The surfaces|5aand 23a are arranged to engage and swing the latch element I5 out ofits depending latchingv position against the resilient force of thepiston 34 upon movement of the ram 5 downwardly from its raised positionto a position near to its forming position and prior to operation of thepiston 3| on its power stroke. Upon con-- tinued downward movement ofthe ram, the latch element |5-is snapped back into latching positionbythepiston 34 after relative passage of the lower latching end of theelement |5 downwardly beyond the upper latching endof the element 23. p

Correspondingly, the latch elements 30 and IT have cam surfaces 300. andHa, respectively,

which cooperate in like manner to displace the element at from itslatching position against the resilient force of the piston 36 so as topermit relative passage of. the elements 3|! and I1 during downwardmovement of the ram. The latching element 30 is snapped back intolatching position by the piston 36 after relative passage: of theadjacent ends of the elements and 30..

In operation "of the structure thus far described, the ram is loweredrapidly to aposition close to the final forming position by means of thepiston |'2.' As it approaches forming position, the cam surfaces |5a andlla of the latch elements i5 and H engage the cam surfaces 23aand 30a oftheir complementary latch elements 23 and. 3D respectively, whereuponthe latch elements 23 and 30 are swung out of latching position. Uponcontinued lowering of the ram,'the elements 23 and 30 are returned bytheir respective piston" and cylinder assemblages intolatchingpositionin which the arms 2D of the lever |9 are'latched to theopposite ends ofthe ram, respectively; Thereupon the piston 3| isoperated upwardly to move the ram 5 downwardly by applying equalizedpressure through the arms 20 to the opposite ends of the ram 5. Thecylinder 32 may be a higher pressure'cylinder than the cylinder l3, orit may be operative at the same pressure, but since only a slightadditional movementof the ram by the piston 3| to final closing positionis necessary, a large mechanical advantage is given to the piston 3|through'the lever l9 and latches 23 and 36, thus applying to the ram amuch greater forming pressure than that which could be applied by thedirect acting piston I2. Also, since the reactive forces to the downwardpull on the latches and upward thrust of the piston 3| is resisted bythe bed adjacent the dies, due to the position of the yokes 2| and 29,the major stresses are better 10-,

calized so that parts of the apparatus not di- I rectly involved arerelieved from the heavier stresses.

As mentioned the preferred embodiment of the apparatus is in the form ofa combined press and tangent bender. For the tangent bending opera tion,the press is provided with wing dies 49. For mounting the wing dies, asuitable wing die carriage 4| is provided and extends lengthwise of theram for substantially the full length of the bed 2 along one side of theframe. The carriage 4| is provided at its ends with arms 42 by which itis connected tosuitable supports 43 on the bed byjmeans ofpivots 44.Normally, the car rierv 4| depends from the pivotal connections be lowthe level of the bed andlies alongside of one side of the frame? I, asillustrated in Fig. l, and

1 it is adapted to be swung upwardly on its form-,

ing stroke.

Mounted. within the carriage 4| and substantially coextensive in lengththrewith is a roller 45. The roller is movable transversely of its axisin the carriage 4| toward and away from the pivotal axis. As betterillustrated in Fig. 8, this is accomplished by mounting the ends of theroller 45 in suitable bearings 46 which, in turn, are mounted in thecarriage 4| for sliding movement toward and away from the pivotal axisof the carriage in suitable slideways and are urged to ward the pivotalaxis of the carriage by springs 41. Carried by the carriage 4| isarocker plate 48 which is normally horizontal and faces upwardly and hasa channel 49 on its under face in which the roller 45 rolls, theendwalls of the channel engaging shoulders on the roller 45, as bestindicated at 50, in Fig. 8, sov as to prevent endwise movement of theplate 48 in the carriage. The plate 48 is provided with arms 52, theupper edges of which are in the form of racks 53. The racks, in turn,engage suitable gear seginents 54 secured to the frame and coaxial withthe pivots 44, thus guiding the rocker plate 48 as it is rocked from theposition illustrated in Fig. 1 upwardly'and along'the lateral facesof'the male dies 6.

Any suitable power means may be used to operate the carriage 4| and, asbest illustrated in Fig. 7, this is accomplished by means of a piston 55operating in a reversible fluid pressure cylinder 56, the piston beingconnected to the carriage 4| and the cylinder being connected to asuitable post 51 secured in fixed position relative to the frame I. Uponswinging of the carriage 4| upwardly about the axis of the pivots 44,the plate 48 and the wing dies 40 carried thereby are rocked from theirhorizontal position, illustrated in Fig. 1, upwardly around the roundedlateral edges of the dies 6 into a position such that they form and laythe stock to be formed around such edges and along the lateral faces ofthe dies 6.

Thus, in order to form a piece of stock into the front, sides and all ormarginal portions of the rear wall of a cabinet, the stock is laid inposition on the one of the female dies 3, which is nearer the supportedend of the ram with one overhanging the adjacent wing die 40. The ram ismoved downwardly rapidly by the piston |2 to a piston in which itisengaged by the latches 23 and 36 after which it is moved downwardly moreslowly, but with greater pressure, by the piston 3|, thus forming theportion of the stock between a male die 6 and a female die 3. While thestock is so held, the carriage 4| is swung upwardly by the piston 55,thus rocking the wing dies upwardly and forming the stock about theadjacent rounded lateral edge and side face of the associated die 6. Thewing dies are then swungdownwardly and the piston 3| reversed,

after which the latches 23 and 36 are released and the ram raisedthereafter by the piston |2.

Referring next to Fig. 9, there is illustrated diagrammatically thecontrol means for operation of the apparatus in the cycle described. Asthere illustrated, two solenoid operated control valves 60 and 6| areprovided, the valves being connected to a source of air, or other fluidpressure, and to atmosphere, or a sump. Air pressure is preferred due toits rapid operation and such is used hereinafter for purposes orillustration. The valve 6!! is connected to the lower end of thecylinder l3 by a pipe line 62 and to the lower end of the. cylinder 35which operates the latch element l5, and also to the upper end of thecylinder 31 which operates the latch element 30, by branches 62a leadingfrom the pipe line 62. The valve 6|, on the other hand, is connected tothe upper end of the cylinder |3 by a pipe line 64, and to the upper endof the cylinder 35 and the lower end of the cylinder 31 by branches 64aleading from the line 64.

The valve 60 normally is open so as to admit air under .pressureconcurrently through the line 62 and its branches 62a to the cylinders35, 31 and |3 so that the piston I2 is operated to raise the ram 5 andthe latches l5 and 30 are moved to unlatched position, concurrently. Thevalve 60 is movable to a closed position to connect the line 62 and itsbranches 62a to theatmosphere.

The valve 6|, on the other hand, is normally closed and when closed,connects the line 64 and its branches 64a with the atmosphere and whenopen, connects the line 64 and its branches 64a. to pressure. p

A solenoid operated valve 65 also is provided and is normally open. Whenopen, it connects the upper end of the cylinder 32 to a source of airpressure through a line 66 and connects the lower end of the cylinder 32to atmosphere by 8. a line 61." Since normally it isin a position-inwhich :air pressureis admitted through the line 66 to the top of thecylinder 32, the arm I9 is held in position in which. the latch elements23 and 30 are intheir uppermost position The valves'fill and 6| areoperated by solenoids 68 and 69, respectively, which are connected inparallel across the power lines L and L A suitable switch 10 isprovided'in the line L and may be in. the form of a self-restoring pushbutton switch or drum type switch, as desired. The valve 65 is operatedby a solenoid 1| which is connected to the line L and through a limitswitch 12 to the line L thus being connected in parallel with thesolenoids 68 and 69 but in series with the limit switch 12. The limitswitch 12 is normally open and self-restoring. For illustration it isshown as held open by a spring 13.

A collar 14 is provided on the piston l2 and is arranged to engage andclose the switch 12 when the ram has been moved downwardly by the piston|2 to a position in which the latches 23 and 30 can engage the latchesl5 and I1, respectively.

As illustrated in Fig. 9, the parts thus described are in the normalidle position in which the air under pressure is applied as indicated bythe arrows. In this position, the ram is elevated, the latches 5 and 3|]are swung out of latching position and the latch 23, along with thelatch 30, are in elevated position. The die space between the ram andbed is easily accessible for unloading past the free end of the ram.Upon closure of the switch 10, the solenoid 68 is energized and operatesthevalve 60 to connect the lines 62 and 62a to the atmosphere. At thesame time, the solenoid 69 operates the valve 6| to disconnect the line64 and branches 64a from the atmosphere and connect it to the source ofair pressure. Thereupon, air under pressure is admitted to the top ofthe piston |2, forcing the ram downwardly at a relatively rapid speedand at the same time the latch elements I5 and 30 are swung to theirnormal position for latching and are yieldably held'in' such position bytheir respective pistons and cylinders. The ram continues movingdownwardly on the'rapid traverse stroke' until it is close to theforming position. As it approaches this-position'the latches l5 and |1have passed the upper ends of the latch elements 23 and 30, thisrelative passage having been -effected by movement of the latch I5 andthe latch 30 out ofthe respective paths of the latches 23 and I! due tocamming action of the complemen-' tary cam surfaces of the latches andthe return of the elements I5 and 30 by their respective pistons. Afterthe latches are in position for latching, the collar 14 engages andcloses the limit switch 72. As soon as the limit switch 12 is closed,the solenoid 1| operates the valve 65 to disconnect the line 66 from thesource of air pressure and to connect it to the atmosphere andconcurrently to connect the line 61 to the source of air pressure, thuslifting the piston 3| and forcing the latches downwardly and therebyforcing the ram downwardly on the formingstroke with greater pressurethan would be provided by the cylinder l3.

When the switch 10 is released it disconnects all of the solenoids fromthe source of electric power and the valves 60, 6| and 65, beingselfrestoring sequentially, return to their starting position, thusfirst-releasing the latch elements l5 and 30 and then raising the ram.The wing dies are. then operated by a circuit, next to be attaindescribed, prior to release of the valve so that the stock is formed bythe wing dies while gripped between the dies 6 and 40.

The piston 56, for-operating the wing dies, is separately controlled bymeans of a solenoid op-' eratedvalve which is also connected to thesource of air pressure and to the atmosphere. Normally, the'valve 75connects the cylinder 56 above the piston, through the line 16, to thesource of air pressure, and connects the cylinder 56 below the piston tothe atmosphere, through the line H, thus holding the wing dies in thedownward'or retracted position. Reversal of the valve 1-5 connects theupper end of the cylinder to the atmos-- phere through the line 16 andconnects the lower end of'the cylinder to'the source of air pressurethrough the line 11, thus moving-the piston upwardly and thereby movingthe wing dies on their forming stroke. A solenoid 18- is provided foroperating the valve 15 and is connected across the lines L and L througha switch 19 whichmay be of the self-centering drum type-or of theself-restoring push button type, and which is normally open.

Referring next to Figs. 10 and 11, a machine of the samegeneralcharacter is illustrated. In this form of the invention, the ram 80 ismounted on a? suitable post 8| which is vertically reciprocable inbearings 82 in the frame 83. At the free end of the ramthere is mountedin the bed of the frame- 83 a vertically reciprocable post 84 which isguided in bearings 85 in the frame. The col-- umn 8| is connected by atoggle link 86 to a piston 81" operating in a reversible cylinder 88.The post 84*is similarly connected by a toggle link 89 to a piston 90'operating in a reversible cylinder 8l. The'cylinders 88 and Bi arepivotally con-- nected to the frame and through suitable valves, notshowmcan be connected to the source of fluid pressure so as toadmit'fluid pressure to both cylindersconcurrently or independentlyforexpanding the links concurrently and selectively and for contracting thelinks concurrently and selectively. The post 84' is arranged to engage asocket 92 in the f166' 6l.'1d of the ram and is provided' with asuitable notch 93 which, when the post'is fully inserted, is in aposition for latching to the free end of the ram. A suitable rotatableeccentric cam 84 is mounted in the freeend" of the ram and isarrangedfto be operated by a lever 95 to a position in which it engagesanddisengages the notch. 83.

In' operation of this modification, fluid pressure is admitted only tothe cylinder 88 so as to raise the ram 88' while the post 84 isunlatchedfrom the ram, the cylinder 9! being connected to the source of fluidpressure so as to hold the post 84 in retracted position. Thereupon,formed stock-v interposed between the ram and bed can be withdrawnbetween the bed and free end of the ram.- Next, while retaining the ramin raised position, a piece of stock isinserted between the dies bypassing it between the ram and top ofthe post- 84 or by inserting itfrom the side, as desired. Thevalve for the cylinder 9| then is operatedso as-to expand the linkage 89 and thereby raise the post 84 intoposition for latching, whereupon it is latched by downward movement ofthe lever 95. Next, the valves are operated to admit fluid pressure toboth cylinders 88 and 9t concurrently so as to retract the linkages 86and 89 and thereby lower the-post-84 and column 8| concurrently forforming the piece. a v

It will be noted that in both forms of the invention, the ram and bedare sufiiciently longto 10 accommodate either a very long set of dies ortwo sets of dies spaced apart endwise of the ram. In using two sets ofdies and a single wing die carrier, theoperation for forming the front,rear,

and margins of the rear wall of a cabinet are as follows: A sheet ofstock'can be inserted from the side of' the' machine between the set ofdies nearer'the supported end of the ram and the sheet "crowned andformed between the male die 6 and 'femaledie 3 of that set, and oneoverhanging end thereof formed by the adjacent cooperating wing die Ellwhile the stock is gripped between the male andfemale die. When the ramis raised, the piece thus formed is removed laterally of the ram and isreversed in position and inserted throughthe space between the free endof the ram and the bed into position in the set of dies which is nearerthefree end of the ram, and a new piece inserted laterally of the ram,between the set of dies near the supported end of the ram.

Upon the next downward movement of the ram,v another piece of stock nearthe supported end isv formed as already described. At the same time, thepiece of stock between the set of dies adjacent the free end of the ram,is finish formed, the other overhanging end of the stock being bent upby the wing die 40 against the free end of the ram. When the ram is nextraised, the piece finally formed between the dies adjacent the free endof the ram can be removed endwise of the ram through thespace betweenthe free end of.

the ram and the bed It is apparent with the apparatusdescribed thatarticles such as cabinet portions and the like, even those which areperipherally closed, can readily be formed and easily removed from theapparatus- Since equalized ram operating pressure is applied to bothends of. the ram, deflection of the ram is negligible.

Further it is apparent from scription that ifv desired forv more rapidproduction a duplicate set oiwing dies can be provided at the oppositeside of the press and the wing dies at opposite sides of the press canbe operated concurrently.

4 Furthermore, in event that cabinets of square cross section and thelik'e'are to be formed with relatively sharp edges the usual bendingbrake diescan be substituted for the forming dies described and thepress used as a conventional bending brakewithout the necessity for wingdies.

In the description and claims, the structures are described by referenceto a horizontal frame,

using words such as upwardly, downwardly,

above, below and the like; It is to be understood thattheseterms areused in a relative sense only for convenience in description of therelative positions of various parts to eachother and not their positionswith respect to an actual vertical or horizontal pla'ne.-

Having thus described our invention, we claim: 1. In 'aforming machine,a frame having an upwardly facing work bed adapted to accommodate aworking tool, a ram adapted to carry a' downwardly facing complementaryworking tool,

means connecting one end of the ram to theframe and supporting andguiding the ram for movement'along a generally upright lineal path froma positionabove the bed downwardly toward, and upwardly away from, theplane of the bed, latching means-'on'the ram near the other end'of theram said other end of the ram and its latching means normally being freeand disconnected from the frame so as to afford access the foregoingdeto the space between the bed and ram from the free end of the ram,tension applying means, including cooperable latching means near thefree end of the ram, mounted on the frame for movement upwardly anddownwardly relative to the plane of the bed and to a position in whichit is spaced below the level of the ram and its latching means, when theram is in a predetermined raised position, so as not to obstruct saidaccess to the space between the ram and bed from said free end of theram, said cooperable latching means of the tension applying means andlatching means of the ram being engageable with, and disengageable from,each other, selectively, for latching the tension applying means andfree end portion of the ram for movement together in a direction to movethe ram toward the plane of the bed and for unlatching them forindependent movement, and power means operatively connected to thetension applying means for moving the tension applying means and therebysaid one end of the ram downwardly toward the plane of the bed.

2. In a forming machine, a frame having an upwardly facing work bedadapted to accommodate a working tool, a ram adapted to carry adownwardly facing complementary working tool, means connecting one endof the ram to the frame and supporting and guiding the ram for movementalong a generally upright lineal path from a position above the beddownwardly toward, and upwardly away from, the plane of the bed,latching means on the ram near the other end of the ram, said other endof the ram and its latching means normally being free and disconnectedfrom the frame so as to afford access to the space between the bed andram from the free end of the ram, power means operatively connected tothe ram and operable to move the ram along said path toward and awayfrom the plane of the bed, tension applying means, including cooperablelatching means near the free end of the ram, mounted on the frame formovement relative to the frame and ram upwardly toward, and downwardlyfrom, the ram and to a position in which it is spaced below the level ofthe ram when the ram is in a predetermined raised position so as not toobstruct said access to the space between the ram and bed from said freeend of the ram, said cooperable latching means of the tension applyingmeans and the latching means of the ram being engageable with anddisengageable from each other, selectively, for latching the tensionapplying means and free end portion of the ram for movement together ina direction to move the ram toward the plane of the bed and forunlatching them for independent -movement, and power means operativelyconnected to the tension applying means for moving the tension applyingmeans and thereby said free end of the ram downwardly toward the planeof the bed.

3. In a forming machine, a frame having an upwardly facing work bedadapted to accommodate a working tool, a ram adapted to carry adownwardly facing complementary working tool, latching means on oppositeend portions of the ram, respectively, means connecting one end of theram to the frame and supporting and guiding the ram for movement along agenerally upright lineal path from a position above the bed downwardlytoward, and upwardly away from, the plane of the bed, the other end ofthe ram and its latching means normally being free and disconnected fromthe frame so as to afiord access to the space between the bed and ramfrom the free end of the ram, tension means mounted on the frame formovement upwardly and downwardly, said tension means includingcooperable latching means positioned near opposite end portions of theram, respectively, said tension means and its cooperable latching meansnear the free end portion of the ram being movable to a position inwhich they are spaced below the level of the ram and the latching meanson the free end portion of the ram, when the ram is in a predeterminedraised position relative to the plane of the bed, so as not to obstructsaid access to the space between the ram and bed from the free end ofthe ram, said latching means of the opposite end portions of the ram andthe respective cooperable latching means of the tension means beingengageable for latching the tension means to the end portions,respectively, for movement together in a direction to move the ramtoward the plane of the bed, power means connected to the tension meansfor moving the tension means and thereby moving the ram downwardly whilethe tension means is latched to the ram.

4. In a forming machine, a frame having an upwardly facing work bedadapted to accommodate a working tool, a ram adapted to carry adownwardly facing complementary working tool, means conecting one end ofthe ram to the frame and supporting and guidin the ram for movementalong a generally upright lineal path from a position above the beddownwardly toward, and upwardly away from, the plane of the bed, theother end of the ram normally being free and disconnected from the frameso as to afford access to the space between the bed and ram from thefree end of the ram, power means for moving the ram downwardly to apredetermined position above the bed, tension means movably mounted onthe frame, means on the tension means readily connectible to anddetachable from the free end portion of the ram and operable, whenconnected to the ram, to pull the ram downwardly upon movement of thetension means in one direction, and additional power.

means operable for moving the tension means in said direction so as tomove the ram downwardly thereby.

5. In a forming machine, a frame having an upwardly facing work bedadapted to accommodate a working tool, a ram adapted to carry adownwardly facing complementary working tool, means connecting one endof the ram to the frame and supporting the ram above the bed formovement along a generally upright lineal path downwardly toward, andupwardly away from, the plane of the bed, respectively, the other end ofthe ram normally being free and disconnected from the frame so as toafford access to the space between the bed and ram from the free end ofthe ram, a bifurcated lever pivotally connected to the frame for rockingabout an axis extending generally parallel to the ram and having freeend portions adjacent opposite ends of the ram, respectively, andpositioned therebeneath, latch means on said free end portions,respectively, complementary latch means on the opposite ends of the ram,respectively, complementary to the first latch means, means operable tolatch the first latch means to the complementary latch means and tounlatch the same, selectively, and a reversible power means connected tosaid bifurcated lever and operable to rock-said lever about its saidpivotal axis for applying the power of said power means equally upwardlyfacing work bed adapted to accommo date a working tool, a ram adapted tocarry a downwardly facing complementary working tool, latch means onopposite end portions of the ram, respectively, means connecting one endof the ram to the frame and guiding and supporting the ram for movementalong a generally upright lineal path from a position above the beddownwardly toward, and upwardly away from, the plane of the bed,respectively, the other end of the ram and its latch means normallybeing free and disconnected from the frame so as to afford access to thespace between the bed and ram from the free end of the ram, power meansoperatively connected to the ram and operable selectively to move theram along said path toward and away from the plane of the bed, tensionmeans movably mounted on the frame, and including complementary latchmeans carried thereby adjacent the opposite ends of the ram,respectively, said complementary latch means being operable to be 7engaged in latching relation to, and disengaged from, the first latchmeans, selectively, additional power means operatively connected to thetension means and operable to move the tension means for moving the ramdownwardly when the complementary latch means of the tension means andthe latch means of the ram are in latching engagement.

'7. A structure according to claim 6 characterized in that control meansare provided for oper-.

ating the first power means in opposite directions, selectively,additional control means are 14 downwardly to a predetermined positionby the first power means. 7

8. The forming machine according to claim 6 characterized in that atleast one of the movable tension means and additional power meansincludes means operative to cause the tension applying means to exert agreater force on the ram for moving the ram toward the bed than theforce exerted on the ram by the power means of the ram for moving theram toward the bed.

9. The forming machine according to claim 6 characterized in that atleast one of the movable provided for operating the additional powermeans in opposite directions, selectively, and control mechanism isprovided which operatively in-. terconnects said control means so as torender the second control means operative'to cause the said additionalpower means to move the ram downwardly consequent upon movement of thram.

tension means and additional power means includes means operative tocause the tension means to move the ram toward the bed at a lesser rateof speed than that at which the ram is moved toward the bed by the powermeans of the ram.

10. The forming machine according to claim 6 characterized in that atleast on of the movable tension means and additional power meansincludes-means for equalizing the respective forces applied by thetension means to the respective ends of the ram for moving the ramtoward the bed.

11. The structure according toclaim 6 charac terized that saidcomplementary latch means of the tension means are so selectivelyconnectable to, and disconnectable from, the latch means of the ramduring movement of the ram along said path.

12. The structure according to claim 1 characterized in that the tensionapplying means and its complementary latching means are movable,relative tothe ram, to and from the position in which they are spacedfrom the ram and its latching means, during movement of the ram alongsaid path.

CYRlL J. BATH. ROBERT J. EBER'I,

Name Date Peroney July 11, 1922 Number

